Viagra is one of the most well-known drugs for erectile dysfunction, but the little blue pill has a lot more to do to use it correctly, get all the benefits, and prevent unwanted side effects. Let’s take a look at how we take Viagra for the best results.

How Does Viagra Treat Erectile Dysfunction?

When a person has erectile dysfunction (ED), they cannot achieve and maintain an erection to have sex. Erectile dysfunction is usually caused by a combination of physical and mental problems that affect the brain, hormones, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Here are some of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction:

• Stress
• Relationship issues
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension
• Hypogonadism (low testosterone)

Viagra helps men achieve and maintain an erection by increasing blood flow to the penis. It belongs to a group of medicines called PDE5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors, which work as vasodilators and cause vascular relaxation. Viagra cannot cure erectile dysfunction permanently, but it can help in the short term and is safe to take every day if approved by a doctor. After taking Viagra, most men will be able to maintain an erection for about two to three hours until the effects start to wear off. Viagra is not available without a prescription and must be prescribed by a doctor.

How to take Viagra for the first time

Erectile dysfunction pills can be the first fear when used for the first time. Like all newer drugs, you probably don’t know what to expect. It is important to understand how to take Viagra correctly for the best results. Taking too much Viagra at the same time, not taking too much, or using it under the wrong circumstances may cause side effects, or the drug may not work at all.

Although Viagra works for many men, it is not for everyone. You must consult your doctor before use. If you have any of the following conditions, it’s best to talk to your doctor if Viagra is right for you:

• Low blood pressure
• Hypertension
• Ischemic heart disease
• Arrhythmia
• Heart attack
• Stroke

If your doctor tells you that you can take Viagra and gives you a prescription, there are a few things to consider before you take them for the first time.

1. Timing is everything

Viagra should be taken orally 30 minutes to four hours before sexual activity, but is most effective if taken an hour before.

When you take Viagra for the first time and understand how it works, it becomes easier to use it more regularly. Some people can take an hour before sexual activity, others can take two to three hours to work for them.

2. Take the prescribed amount

The standard dose is 50 mg with or without food. Some experts recommend taking Viagra on an empty stomach, and certainly not after a high fat meal. However, other researchers have not found a link between taking Viagra with food and reduced effectiveness. If you take Viagra regularly, you may want to see what is best for you.

3. Sexual stimulation is necessary

Viagra may not work for everyone for the first time. Making sure you’re sexually aroused increases the likelihood that it will work for you. When it starts to work, you can expect the erection to last two to three hours.

Viagra dosage

Viagra is sometimes referred to as a “little blue pill” because it has a blue coating. It is one of the generic brands of Sildenafil Citrate manufactured by Pfizer Inc. Viagra pills are labeled with the amount of Sildenafil Citrate, which contains: 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg. Your doctor may prescribe different doses of Viagra depending on whether you take it as needed or on a daily basis. Dosage concentrations vary from person to person, so it is always best to talk to your doctor about how much Viagra is right for you.

The standard dose of Viagra for erectile dysfunction is 50 mg if needed, about an hour before sexual activity. According to the manufacturer’s instructions, patients should only take Viagra once a day as needed, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Your doctor may adjust a person’s dose of Viagra based on their age and medical history. For example, men over 65 or men with liver and kidney failure usually take an initial dose of 25 mg per day.

The maximum recommended dose of Viagra is 100 mg and the highest recommended frequency is once a day. Taking higher doses of Viagra or taking it more often than prescribed will not improve the effect of the medicine. This can lead to potentially fatal side effects.

What to expect when taking Viagra

Like all medicines, Viagra can have side effects. Here are the most common side effects of Viagra:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Redness
• Congestion in the nose
• Runny nose
• Blurred vision
• Muscle pain
• Digestive issues
• Back ache
• Dizziness
• Eruption

How long does Viagra last?

A single dose of Viagra will leave your system within eight hours, and most of it will be gone after 24 hours. You’ll find that the most common side effects go away during this time, but rare and more serious side effects can be more permanent, says Aaron Emmel, Pharm.D., Founder and Program Director of Pharmacy Schools. com.

Serious side effects of Viagra

The more serious side effects of Viagra include allergic reactions, prolonged erections, vision loss, hearing loss, and blood pressure levels, which can drop too much.

Allergic reactions: If you take Viagra and start to breathe, swelling of the face or throat or hives, you should see a doctor immediately as this is a sign of an allergic reaction.

Prolonged erection: “One of the most well-known side effects of Viagra is prolonged erection, which can be painful and can cause permanent damage if it lasts for a long time,” explains Dr. Emmel. “There are some underlying conditions that make people more susceptible, such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma and leukemia.”

If you are taking Viagra and have an erection that lasts longer than four hours (priapism), you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you have a long-term, regular erection, see your health care provider.

Vision loss: According to the official Viagra website, sometimes the drug can cause sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. This can be a sign of a serious eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). People taking Viagra who start to have vision changes should see a doctor as soon as possible to avoid damage or loss of vision.

Myocardial Infarction and Stroke – The most common side effects of Viagra are heart attack and stroke. People with basic heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat, have a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke when taking Viagra. Viagra is not offered to patients with low heart rate or to those taking steps to prevent heart failure. Although the risk of heart attack and stroke is low, people with heart problems should be careful when discussing their medical history with their doctor.

Interactions with Viagra

There are drug interactions with Viagra. “People taking a class of drugs called nitrates should not take Viagra because this combination can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure. This can be a problem for people with certain types of heart disease or low blood pressure. , or for those taking certain types of antihypertensive drugs. ” says Dr Emmel You should not take Viagra with the following drugs:

Cardiac medicines containing nitrates such as amyl nitrate, nitroglycerin and isosorbide

Medicines for high blood pressure and pulmonary arterial hypertension such as Revatio (sildenafil)

Vasodilators for chest pain.

HIV / AIDS treatment such as ritonavir and saquinavir

Fungicides, including ketoconazole and itraconazole

Certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin

Other medicines to treat erectile dysfunction, including Levitra (vardenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil)

There may also be food-drug interactions with Viagra. For example, grapefruit can increase blood levels, making it a natural alternative to treat erectile dysfunction. However, mixing with Viagra can cause some side effects, such as headache, hot flashes, or low blood pressure.

Caffeine can have a similar effect. One study found that consuming two to three cups of coffee per day can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. No interaction between caffeine and Viagra is known, but minor side effects can still occur. Ask your doctor if there are any foods or drinks that you should avoid while taking Viagra.